The Luxembourg Development Cooperation & the Cercle de Coopération des ONG de développement du Luxembourg

are pleased to invite you to an inspiring lecture/workshop:

Driving Human Development with the Ecological Footprint

Human Well-Being and Biological Capital in the Case of Africa

By Mathis Wackernagel, Ph.D.
Global Footprint Network

Monday, September 10, 17.00 - 18.15
Halle des Soufflantes, Esch/Belval

Humanity is living beyond the planet's ecological means. Despite repeated calls for "sustainable development," human demand for resources is exceeding the Earth's regenerative capacity. It now takes planet Earth over one year and three months to regenerate what humanity uses each year.

This overuse hits those first who cannot afford importing resources from elsewhere. Therefore, many of the challenges and opportunities facing African nations are linked to the health of their own biological capital. Just consider rapid demographic growth, food security and persistent malnutrition, violent conflict, political instability, human rights abuses, and inequitable access to resources.

Productive ecosystems are the source of the materials and services that satisfy human needs. This makes accounting and managing biological capital increasingly critical for successful human development in low and lower-income countries.

How can sufficient biocapacity become available for those who require more resources for meeting their basic material needs? For those countries that are endowed with biological capacity beyond their own resource consumption, how can they turn their biocapacity into their competitive advantage? How can these nations enhance their own resource security, build economic prosperity, and maintain
these critical assets?

During this Workshop, Mathis Wackernagel will show why biocapacity is becoming a key ingredient for successful human development, particularly in low-income countries. He will also demonstrate how these concepts can help policy makers and project managers plan for and implement projects consistent with sustainable development.

Global Footprint Network's mission is to support a sustainable economy by advancing the Ecological Footprint and making the reality of planetary limits relevant to decision-makers throughout the world. Together with its over 75 partner organizations around the world, Global Footprint Network continuously strengthens and improves the Ecological Footprint by coordinating research, developing methodological standards, and providing robust national resource accounts.

Download as PDF: Mathis_Wackernagel_Lecture.pdf

What is the ecological footprint?

The ecological footprint measures humanity's demand on nature.

For more information about the Footprint: visit www.footprintnetwork.org.
To calculate your own footprint click here: www.allweneed.lu/Footprint